The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-05-11
HAYES FRIEND WELLS
About to DivuIge the Fraud of 1S76-A Suit
Which VIII Throw Light on 1t.
TSew York suns New Orleans Special

TSew York Suns New Orleans Specfal.I
The methods of the Republicans during
the days they controlled offices in Louisi
ana are gradually leaking out. Mr.. Wells,
president of the Returning Board which
counted in Hayes, came to this city yester-
day to bring suit against A. S. Badger,
chairman of the Republican State Com.
mittee, which promises to bring out all the
secrets of that famous tribunal which over
turned electors and made Presidents and
Governors. Wells is very man, and promises
to give the whole thibg away. His COM
plant is that in return for his good work
IN counting in the Republicans it was
agreed, through the advice and interven.
ton OF Governor Kellogg, that Badger, who
then held the lucrative Office of tax col
lector worth $4,000 year, should sign
contract agreeing TO divide the fees OF the
Office with Wells. Notwithstanding his
contract, Wells asserts that Badger refused
to divide the money with him, compelling
him, after various efforts to get it AMIGA
bly,, to bring this suit. In support OF his
claim he shows a copy OF the contract,
drawn In duplicate and signed by Badger
and himself, in which the former agrees to
give him one-half OF the moneys realized as
Commissioner, as well as one-half of
all the profits made by purchasing
State warrants and paying them into the
Treasury as taxes. Badger further binds
sible, so as to divide larger sum between
them. Wells says that when it became
important to count in Hayes, kellogg tried
to get him busted from his position as
president of the Returning Board, but he
refused to resign. In an interview with
him on the subiect of the co mt Governor
Kellogg said: 81 admire your grit, old fell
low; you certainly deserve political favor,
and intend to appoint you, if you will
accept OF it, tax collector" Wells says
that when the time arrived fer the distri-
button of State appointments, however
kellogg told him that he did not know
what to do with Badger, who was then the
incumbent of the Fourth District tax col
Iectorship. a proposition was finally made
to Wells to the effect that he would surren-
der to Badger the appointment of tax COL
lector of the Fourth District, provided
Kellogg would draw up an instrument
of agreement between Badger and Wells
by which the latter was to receive one-half
of the profits of that Office. These profits
were to cover the purchases of warrants,
the collection of taxes, and any and all
moneys realized from the Office, and all
perquIsites. Kellogg advised this, Wells
says, and Badger accepted the proposition
and signed the agreement.
Afterward, when the Morrison commit
tee began investigating the Presidential
election, Badger told Wells to destroy the
contract, lest It might get them into trouble.
Wells pretended to do so, and swore before
the committee that he had no interest in
the election. Only few weeks ago he in
formed Badger that the contract was still
In existence and demanded a settlement,
which was refused. II believe" said Wells
''that IL 1 had faltered or swerved for a
moment from my position as president of
the Returning Board, Tilden would have
unquestionably been President of the
United States" General Badger denies
the story, but the signature to the contract
is his.